I pay tribute to my dear uncle Eseme, who was a constant presence in my life from the moment I was born to the time of his passing. It was a presence that struck me without loudness, but was supportive and comforting in his characteristic mild-mannered, quiet and beautiful disposition.
I was shocked and saddened to hear of uncle Eseme’s untimely passing despite his ill health. But I guess that is the nature of life and death – it is unpredictable! I am therefore left with memories of him that I will forever cherish and gratitude that a loving and humble uncle Eseme was a part of my life. I will forever cherish the time he spent in the UK with his children and indeed the entire Ma Belle and Ntuba family. I am grateful to uncle Eseme for the love and support he gave to his nuclear and wider family including myself!
Uncle, the head of the Ma Belle/ Ntuba family is gone, leaving his nuclear and wider family behind. How do we move forward and honour his memory? This has been a burning question for me following his passing. I have drawn answers from his person, behaviour and attitudes both observed and reported by others. Despite uncle’s quiet disposition, he could be quite assertive and would get his way. However, what stood out for me were his kind disposition and his willingness to help others in times of need. Simply put, he was a loving man and created love with many a people who crossed his path. My hope is that his legacy of “creating love” will sip into our individual and collective consciousness as we navigate through the rest of our lives.
To this end, I am reminded by the words of Carl Gustav Young (26 July 1875 – 6 June 1961), a Swiss doctor and psychologist who wrote:
“The great events of world history are, at bottom profoundly unimportant. The essential thing is the life of the individual….. Here alone do the great transformations first take place, and the whole future, the whole history of the world, ultimately springs as a gigantic summation from these hidden sources in individuals.”
I would therefore encourage and urge all, reading this tribute, to do something loving today! Reach out and help someone who may need your love or nurture the earth. Do something that requires putting yourself out and that no one need not find out about you. By doing an act of love, you honour your Creator/Higher Power, yourself and your progeny
Please join me in honouring my uncle, Mr Francis Allison Ntuba by creating love in our lives and those of others!
May Uncle Eseme’s soul rest in perfect peace!
Wasse Efimba (Niece)